Private repairs and insurance

Dr_Crypto

Of course I know the requirement to inform insurers of any incidents, whether a claim is made or not. However, I'm also sure that many people do not. For example if a driver has a minor accident involving a fixed object (say hitting their own wall) and just takes the car to a body shop for the needful how is an insurer going to find out?

Aylesbury_Duck

They’re unlikely to but the penalty if they do might be a severe one such as cancelled insurance. It’s up to people to weigh it up and do what they feel comfortable with.

Scrapit

Dr_Crypto wrote: »

Of course I know the requirement to inform insurers of any incidents, whether a claim is made or not. However, I'm also sure that many people do not. For example if a driver has a minor accident involving a fixed object (say hitting their own wall) and just takes the car to a body shop for the needful how is an insurer going to find out?

If they can't don't worry about it. If they could or might find out about it then it's always gonna be better to let them know.

foxy-stoat

Not even if Yoda and all his midichlorians worked in the leading insurers they would ever find out if someone damaged their car at home and they got it repaired at a body shop. Yes you would of had a loss, so what?

If anyone ever says that you are committing fraud by not reporting it then suggest they turn themselves in at the nearest police station and admit every single time they committed a driving offence and notified their insurers accordingly.

Dr_Crypto

I agree it is always best to follow the requirements but wanted to know how in practice these things work.

eamon

If there is a 3rd party involved then defo tell your insurance co as you/me have no control over the 3rd party & their actions.
On the other hand if you scuff your car through your own carelessness and choose to make good the damage yourself who really suffers the loss here? Its not the insurance co and no I wouldn't tell them.

Car_54

eamon wrote: »

If there is a 3rd party involved then defo tell your insurance co as you/me have no control over the 3rd party & their actions.
On the other hand if you scuff your car through your own carelessness and choose to make good the damage yourself who really suffers the loss here? Its not the insurance co and no I wouldn't tell them.

The insurers might argue that they would indeed suffer a loss at renewal. If they knew you were in the habit of scuffing your car, they would reassess the risk and adjust the premium accordingly.

Marvel1

While reversing in my drive, gates open, wind picked up and hit the car, scuff, T-cut myself job done, no did tell the insurer.